A Bible, A Card Book, and a Bookbinding Pause

Here are three recently-completed projects. The Card Book is lighthearted and fun. The Bible was more of a challenge, but successful. The pamphlet was a labor of love.

I have decided to take a summer break from commissioned book repair in order to work on my novel, "The Broken Bible." My premise: A Christian bookbinder solves mysteries having to do with the books and Bibles she repairs. (I've enjoyed Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile Mysteries!) My manuscript needs more editing before it's publishable. I have plenty of ideas for more books in the series, all clamoring to be written. Bookbinding and book repair have been my main priorities till now. I am hoping this summer break provides the time I need to establish a writing routine.

The Card Book cover uses a gift bag.

The cards are different sizes. Still, I was able to fit them all in. There are two "pocket pages" at the end that have photographs inserted.

Gift bags are strong paper and make good cover materials. I made this book for a friend's 60th birthday gift. Her husband organized a wonderful surprise party for her and she was completely astonished! I bound all her cards into a book as a keepsake. In August, I'll be teaching a class on how to do this at the Frederick Book Arts Center.

This pamphlet highlights the discovery of a sister my brothers and I had never known. Thanks to DNA matching, we found her. Because of covid, we had to delay our first meeting, so we sent many emails to each other. At last, we were able to meet! I selected a few emails and photographs to make this booklet as part of the Potomac Chapter Guild of Bookworkers Spring Swap.

This Bible needed to be completely rebound. The front flap and the cover had magnets, which had torn the joints over time. I removed the magnets and re-used them.

It was tricky to measure everything accurately. I had to make sure the cover would open and close easily.

This Bible was meaningful to the owner because it had belonged to her late husband. She wanted to continue to use it.  I had one piece of leather in my stash that was close to the original in color and texture, and just the right size.

Endsheet sections for a church membership register

 I am enjoying my work on a church membership register. It’s a straightforward rebinding.

Yesterday I made these endsheet sections and felt satisfaction in my work. They’re simple, but still require decisions: the endsheet paper, flyleaf paper, hinge material. I followed my trusty Laura Young instructions and now the endsheets are ready to be sewn into the prepared text block.

 

 

 Boxes and Bibles

Whew! Today I completed two of the largest Bible boxes I've ever made (above). When loaded with their Bibles--they're heavy! I gave each a special pullout tray with a leather finger loop to make it easier to remove the Bibles.

I've been backed up with work, to the point where I was feeling stressed. I love Bible repair and plan to keep doing it, but must admit those 15-pound Family Bibles seem to get heavier with each passing year.

 

This Bible (below), was only 7" high by 5" wide--not heavy at all! I preserved the original covers and inset them into the new covers. The box has a special folder to hold all the inclusions I found among the pages.